Integrating valve



y 15, 1967 1.. M. SANDERS 3,319,531

INTEGRATING VALVE Filed Aug. 2, 1965 FIG.5

INVENTOR. Lav/eaves M Ji /vases 3 Fl 5% am 147' roe/var United StatesPatent Ofiice 3,319,531 Patented May 16, 19 67 3,319,531 INTEGRATINGVALVE Lawrence M. Sanders, Renton, Wash. (121 E. th St, Dallas, Tex.75203) Filed Aug. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 476,576 6 Claims. (Cl. 91413) Thisinvention relates to systems for distributing a desired quantity ofhydraulic fluid under pressure to a plurality of working members such ascylinders, and particularly to a reversible fluid transmission systemwhich will maintain delivery pressure during transfer of exactquantities of the fluid from one cylinder to a next in sequence.

The delivery to pressure-actuated equipment of precisely measuredquantities of fluid under pressure is an essential element of many typesof hydraulically controlled devices.

The instant invention delivers fluid under pressure to each of aplurality of utilization means, here shown in exemplary fashion as fourcylinders, in exactly defined quantities. I have termed the invention anintegrating valve because the precise total of pressure-responsivedisplacements is obtained by the addition of a succession of smallincrements to obtain the final value desired. These increments areobtained by connecting the devices in which the pressure is to be builtup, to the source for a succession of short delivery periods. Eachadditional incremental delivery period adds to the pressure in thereceiving members. The greater the number of short delivery periods, themore accurately the quantity of fluid delivered to the receivers can becontrolled.

The valve consists of a motor-driven rotor, having a single port, whichextends therethrough, disposed in a pressure chamber closely adjacent adistribution plate in which a plurality of apertures are formed throughwhich the hydraulic fluid is fed to the distribution lines or conduits,leading to the individual working cylinders. Each of the workingcylinders has a piston adapted to operate a hydraulic jack or similarequipment, applying pressure thereto and producing a desired amount offorce or displacement. While the invention has been shown as a closedsystem, it will be obvious that it is also applicable to systems notcompletely closed.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide uniformincrements of pressure which are exerted on a plurality of hydraulicactuating units.

Another object of the invention is to furnish means for successivelytransferring the application of fluid from one to another of utilizationmembers without loss of pressure.

Yet another object of the invention is to supply means for the usefulapplication of fluid under pressure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means by which it ispossible to apply hydraulic pressure to a plurality of utilizing membersfor uniform .periods of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide means by which it ispossible to transfer fluid from one utilizing member to another withoutloss of pressure during said transition.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide means for returningfluid under pressure directly to a pump during the transition from onedestination to the next successive destination.

Yet still a further object of the invention is to provide means forby-passing fluid under high pressure back to the intake side of a pumpduring movement of a pressure delivery means from one output conduit tothe next successive output conduit.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description thereof and by referring tothe accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the pressure distributing chamber ofthe invention, with the hydraulic output lines connected thereto beingshown in section;

FIGURE 2 is a side sectional view of the distributing chamber of FIGURE1, taken as indicated by line 2-2 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the pressuredistributing portion of the invention, taken as indicated by line 33 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view, partially in section, taken in theplane 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of the system as operated with its fullpressure delivered to four cylinders; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary showing similar to that of FIGURE 5, but withthe valve set to release the cylinder pressure.

With continued reference to the drawing for a more detailed explanationof the invention, a view of the distribution head 1 is shown in sideelevation in FIGURE 1, with portions of the various conduits connectedthereto, as partially shown in section. It will be understood that thehead and all the associated chambers and conduits are filled withhydraulic fluid, a detailed showing of which is omitted for clarity. Thehead 1 is generally cylindrical, with three main sections rigidly fixedtogether, and a fourth rotating within one of them.

The base plate section 2 is provided with a plurality of deliverypressure ports 4, 5, 6 and 7. These ports may be threaded to receivefittings and conduits 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a for transmission to therespective utilization cylinders 4b, 5b, 6b and 712, respectively. Apump 9 delivers fluid to head lthrough a pressure feed conduit 9a.Passage back of the hydraulic fluid to the pump 9 is provided throughthe return conduits 4c, 50, 6c and 7c. The base plate section 2 is boredand tapped at a plurality of symmetrically spaced locations 10 toprovide for the engagement of elongated threaded bolts 11, which securethe several sections of the head 1 together.

Immediately adjacent the base plate section 2 is secured theintermediate distribution pla-te section 12. Section 12 is bored topermit communication with the several delivery ports 4, 5, 6 and 7through the base plate 2. This communication is effected through curvedslots 40!, 5d, 6d and 7d constituting arcuately extended passagesthrough distribution plate 12. Sealing between the base. plate 2 and theperiphery of the distribution plate 12 is accomplished through the useof a first annular channel 14 cut into the surface of plate 12 in whicha first O-ring 15 is disposed. Similarly, sealing between the oppositeside of the distribution plate 12 :and the next adjacent section of thehead 1 is effected through a second annular channel 16 and a secondO-ring 17.

The third portion 19 of head 1 is coaxially recessed to define apressure chamber 20. An end wall 21 is provided which is axially boredat 22 to receive rotatably a shaft 24. A plurality of blind holes 25 areformed in shaft 24 to provide for lubrication, and the shaft passesthrough a sealing member 26, which may also be of conventional O-ringtype. Shaft 24 bears, opposite pressure chamber end wall 21, a circularpressure distributing plate 27 which acts to directly feed fluid underpressure from chamber 20 to the several delivery ports 4, 5, 6 and 7 andtheir associated conduits 4a,'5a, 6a and 7a.

A single delivery port 30 extends through distributing plate 27 andcommunicates once during each revolution of shaft 24, with each of thearcuate slots 4d, 5d, 6d and 7d. Fluid from delivery port 30 will betransmitted 3 through the particular one of the arcuate slots 4d, 5d, 6dor 7d with which it is in alignment to the corresponding delivery port4, 5, 6 or 7 for passage to the appropriate cylinder 4b, 5b, 612 or 7b.The more rapidly the shaft 24 is driven, the greater the number ofpressure pulses will be communicated to each cylinder, and the .moreaccurate will be the summation, or integration process, in producing thedesired response in each of the cylinders 41), 5b, 6b and 7b. Shaft 24may be driven by conventional motor means (not shown).

It will be apparent that at the end of the delivery period to each ofthe arcuate slots 4d, 5d, 6d or 7d there would be an abrupt interruptionor cessation of fluid transmission, which would be highly undesirable,with undue stress variations occurring in the chamber 20 as a possibleresult, were not relief means provided. These means include a centralannular pressure relief recess 31. Recess 31 communicates, through apressure equalizer or bleeder hole 32 with the pressure chamber 20 toprovide a cushion for pressure variations therein.

In addition, a pattern of blind holes 34 'is formed in the surface ofthe pressure distributing plate 27 presented to the intermediatedistributing plate 12. These blind holes act to collect small quantitiesof the hydraulic fluid (not shown), and distribute them across theadjacent surfaces of these two plates to act as a lubricant.

Finally, the main pressure relief will be provided, between the end ofdelivery of fluid to one of the arcuate channels and the commencement ofdelivery to the next, by the return ports 4c, 50, 6c and 70, whichafford direct passage back, through a common return conduit 36 and thefour-way valve 35, to the low pressure portion of the pressure system.

The position of the valve as shown in FIGURE 5 is that which occurs whenit has been set to extend pistons in hydraulic cylinders 4b, 5b, 6b or7b to the maximum limit of their traverse. Conventional pulse countingmeans (not shown) may be used to count the quantity of fluid deliveredto each of the utilization cylinders, and to cut off the pressure whenthe desired quantity has been delivered. 'Other equivalent timing meansmay be used.

In the position shown in FIGURE 5, it will be understood the check valve37 will be eflective to prevent fluid from returning to the reservoir39. At the same time, communication from the reservoir 39 to the pump 9through a feed conduit 40 and a pump inlet conduit 41 is blocked by thevalve 35. Hence, the pump 9 continues to maintain the full hydraulicpressure in the cylinders 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b, recirculating the fluidpassing back through the return conduits 4c, 50, 6c and 7c, the commonreturn conduit 36, the four-way valve 35, pump inlet conduit 41, and apump pressure feed conduit 9A to the head 1.

When valve 35 is rotated to the position shown in FIGURE 6, thehydraulic fluid is free to return to the reservoir 37 through the pumpfeed conduit 40, and the pistons in hydraulic cylinders 4b, 5b, 6b and7b return to their positions of minimum traverse.

It 'will thus be seen that there has been provided a simple and easilycontrollable system for the application of uniform hydraulic, preciselycontrolled pressures or displacements to a plurality of utilizing means,adding a plurality of small increments of pressure to each of theutilizing means to obtain the exact values desired.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiment thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details ofconstruction herein shown and described, other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for applying pressure to a plurality of utilization meansin sequence;

(a) a pressure source;

(b) a head;

(c) a pressure chamber defined within said head by an end thereof and anintermediate distribution plate;

(d) a pressure conduit leading from said pressure source to said headand communicating with said pressure chamber therewithin;

(e) a shaft rotatably journaled within said pressure chamber andarranged to be driven by motor means disposed externally thereof;

(f) a pressure distributing plate mounted on said shaft and having adelivery port formed therethrough; (g) a plurality of delivery portsformed through the end of said chamber;

(h) a plurality of arcuate slots formed through said intermediatedistribution plate and communicating with said delivery ports andintermittently with said delivery port formed through said pressuredistributing plate; and

(i) means for maintaining substantially uniform pressure during deliverythrough said arcuately slotted portion of said pressure distributingplate and during the intervals between delivery through successive onesof said arcuate slots.

2. In a device for applying pressure to a plurality of utilization meansin sequence;

(a) -a pressure source;

(b) a reservoir for storing hydraulic fluid;

(c) a pressure head cooperatively formed by a base plate, anintermediate distributing plate and a coaxially recessed end portion;

(d) motor means;

(e) a pressure distributing plate mounted for rotation Within said headand arranged to have a shaft axially projecting from said chamber forconnection to said motor means;

(f) a single delivery port formed through said pressure distributingplate;

(g) a central recess formed in the side of said pressure distributingplate opposite said intermediate distributing plate and having anequalizer hole therethrough for restricted communication with saidpressure head;

(h) a plurality of arcuate slots formed through said intermediatedistributing plate and arranged to be intermittently aligned with saidsingle delivery port during rotation of said pressure distributingplate;

(i) means for circulating and transmitting fluid from said reservoirunder pressure in precisely defined amounts to said utilization means;and

(j) means for reversing the direction of fluid movement in saidutilization means.

3. In a device substantially as described in claim 2, the

combination of:

(a) means for aiding lubrication between the adjacent portions of saidpressure distributing plate and said intermediate distributing plate;

(b) means for pressure equalization forming a recessed portion betweensaid pressure distributing plate and said intermediate distributingplate;

(c) sealing means disposed betweensaid intermediate distributing plateand said base plate;

((1) sealing means disposed between said intermediate distributing plateand said coaxially recessed end portion of said head;

(e) means for lubricating said motor shaft comprising a plurality ofrecesses formed in said shaft and sealing means disposed thereabout insaid pressure chamber end wall;

(f) a plurality of arcuately extending slots formed through saidcircular pressure distributing plate;

(g) conduit means connecting output .ports from said base plate tocorresponding ones of said utilization means;

(h) conduit means connecting said return ports intermediate said arcuateslots in said intermediate distributing plate back to the intake side ofsaid pump; and

(i) means for reversing the direction of fluid movement in saidutilization cylinders.

4. In a device substantially as described in claim 2, the

combination of:

(a) means for the sequential application of fluid under pressure to aplurality of utilization means;

(b) means for reversing the direction of application of pressure to suchutilization means; and

(0) means for insuring that equal amounts of fluid under pressure willbe transmitted to each of said utilization means comprising means foradding precisely controlled increments of hydraulic fluid under pressureto obtain the desired displacement in said utilization means.

5. In a device substantially as described in claim 2, the

combination with a four-way valve disposed between 20 said reservoir andsaid pump, and having a return conduit connected thereto from saidpressure head adapted to prevent return of fluid from said utilizationcylinders to said pump in a first position, and to permit return offluid from said utilization cylinders to said reservoir in a secondposition.

6. In a device substantially as described in claim 2, the combination ofmeans for delivering an equal succession of pressure increments to aplurality of utilization cylinders, means for cutting 01f delivery whensuch quantity has been delivered to each, and means for maintainingsubstantially uniform pressure during transfer of delivery of saidpressure increments from one of said utilization cylinders to a nextsuccessive utilization cylinder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,538,167 5/1925Chappell et a1 91-413 X 1,557,385 10/1925 Tastenhoye 91-413 X 2,818,8811/1958 Bonner et al. 91413 X EDGAR W. GEOGHEGAN, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A DEVICE FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO A PLURALITY OF UTILIZATION MEANSIN SEQUENCE; (A) A PRESSURE SOURCE; (B) A HEAD; (C) A PRESSURE CHAMBERDEFINED WITHIN SAID HEAD BY AN END THEREOF AND AN INTERMEDIATEDISTRIBUTION PLATE; (D) A PRESSURE CONDUIT LEADING FROM SAID PRESSURESOURCE TO SAID HEAD AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID PRESSURE CHAMBERTHEREWITHIN; (E) A SHAFT ROTATABLY JOURNALED WITHIN SAID PRESSURECHAMBER AND ARRANGED TO BE DRIVEN BY MOTOR MEANS DISPOSED EXTERNALLYTHEREOF; (F) A PRESSURE DISTRIBUTING PLATE MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT ANDHAVING A DELIVERY PORT FORMED THERETHROUGH; (G) A PLURALITY OF DELIVERYPORTS FORMED THROUGH THE END OF SAID CHAMBER; (H) A PLURALITY OF ARCUATESLOTS FORMED THROUGH SAID INTERMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION PLATE ANDCOMMUNICATING WITH SAID DELIVERY PORTS AND INTERMITTENTLY WITH SAIDDELIVERY PORT FORMED THROUGH SAID PRESSURE DISTRIBUTING PLATE; AND (I)MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM PRESSURE DURING DELIVERYTHROUGH SAID ARCUATELY SLOTTED PORTION OF SAID PRESSURE DISTRIBUTINGPLATE AND DURING THE INTERVALS BETWEEN DELIVERY THROUGH SUCCESSIVE ONESOF SAID ARCUATE SLOTS.